How Much Office Space Do You Need Per Person?

When you're planning a new office for your team, one of the first questions to answer is: how much space do you need per person? Whether you're setting up for two people or six, knowing how many desks you can comfortably fit in a room is key to making the right decision.

In this guide, we’ll look at the recommended amount of space per person in a UK office, focusing on serviced offices like those at Cambrai Court. We'll break down legal requirements, best practice recommendations, and how to plan around real-world desk sizes.

What’s the Legal Minimum Office Space Per Person in the UK?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sets out the legal minimum office space requirements in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. They state that each person must have a minimum of 11 cubic metres of space.

In a typical office with a standard ceiling height of 2.4m, that works out to around 4.6 square metres per person (roughly 50 square feet). However, this is a minimum requirement to meet safety laws — not a recommendation for comfort or productivity.

The HSE is clear that this amount of space might not be enough once you factor in desks, chairs, and storage. They also require that there’s enough room for people to move around freely and safely.

What’s the Recommended Space Per Person?

While the legal minimum is important, most businesses aim for a more comfortable setup. The British Council for Offices (BCO) recommends 10 square metres per person as a good benchmark. That’s about 108 square feet per person — double the legal minimum.

This gives each team member enough room for a desk, a chair, and some space to move around. According to the BCO, the sweet spot for comfort and productivity is between 8 and 12 square metres per person. Any less than 8m² per person and your office might start to feel crowded and noisy.

Desk Sizes and Practical Layouts

Most standard desks in UK offices are around 120–160cm wide and 60–80cm deep. That’s roughly 1 to 1.3 square metres of desk surface. But once you include a chair and space to move around, each workstation ends up needing at least 2 to 3 square metres.

On top of that, you need clear walkways, access to doors, and maybe some storage. So in practice, the full area needed per person is much more than just the size of the desk.

Here’s a general guide for small teams:

If you're aiming for comfort and efficiency, sticking to around 10m² per person is a smart move. That way, your team won’t feel cramped, and you’ll avoid the pitfalls of overcrowding.

How to Estimate How Many People Fit in Your Office

Here’s a simple method:

1. Measure the floor area of your office (in square metres).
2. Divide by your target space per person. Use 4.6m² if you're calculating based on the legal minimum, or 10m² for a more comfortable fit.
3. Consider the layout — make sure there’s space for movement, and don’t forget to factor in furniture.

For example, a 200 sq ft office (around 18.6m²) would:

• Fit up to 4 people legally
• Be ideal for 2 or 3 people based on BCO guidelines

Want to see this in practice? Check out our guide on how much it costs to rent a serviced office in the West Midlands for real-life examples of office sizes and costs.

Final Thoughts

If you're planning to rent an office, don’t just look at how many desks you can squeeze in. Think about comfort, productivity, and the impression your office makes on clients and staff.

Here’s a quick summary:

• The legal minimum is 4.6m² per person
• The recommended standard is around 10m² per person
• Desk size, layout, and walkways all impact how many people you can realistically fit

At Cambrai Court, we offer flexible serviced offices in Birmingham designed for teams of all sizes. If you're unsure what size space is right for your team, get in touch — we’re happy to help you plan the perfect office setup.

Sources:
HSE: INDG244 - Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
BCO Guide to Specification 2023

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